HDMI to M1-DA (InFocus projector) signal loss

kenfeyder · Post by **kenfeyder** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:16 am

Richard -- Shane recommended that I post this question in hopes that you can help me understand what's going on. I have an InFocus 7205 projector. The only digital input it has is this thing called "M1-DA" -- basically DVI on steroids.

Projector manual says it will take 1080p signal. So I went on Monoprice and bought an HDMI to M1DA cable. It's 50 ft long... but it's nice and thick (24 AWG). Problem is -- my BlueRay player and my projector negotiate at 720p. I can force the player to output 1080p, and projector takes it, but I get major pixelation on the picture. I thought that digital signal was either on or off... Is this a limitation of this M1-DA input that InFocus conveniently forgot to mention? Or do I need to simply use a shorter cable and rearrange my setup? Or a signal booster? Any help or ideas will be appreciated. Thank you! -Ken

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:28 pm

first thought is 50'...?

We installed one of these years ago when they first came out, memorable due to the that special M1DA connector and the pride $$ they had in their proprietary version of it and how an M1DA adapter destroyed the impedance causing problems as you describe.

I didn't know this projector supported 1080p24 and find that quite unusual for it's time...

But so it does and what your describe certainly sounds like a marginal signal.

Very interesting stuff here, a company I have come to like a lot over the years...

What Do These HDMI Spec Versions (1.2, 1.3, 1.3a, etc) Mean?
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/articles/ ... rsions.htm

Blue Jeans Cable currently holds an HDMI compliance certificate under 1.3a (CTS 1.3b1) for a 45-foot long cable, and this is, to our knowledge, the longest distance at which any passive cable (that is, one not incorporating an amplifier) has ever passed ATC testing. We are regularly contacted by manufacturers and vendors of HDMI cable, and we routinely ask them for their compliance certificates (which, incidentally, seems to end about half of the conversations; we never get a compliance certificate from quite a few vendors). To date, we have never seen any compliance certificate for a cable, in any gauge, as long as our 45-footer, under any version of the spec. We have seen 40-foot certificates under 1.2 (without indication of the testing bandwidth), and of course since the test signal amplitude dropped about 20% under 1.3, it's likely that the cables bearing those 1.2 certificates would not pass the 1.3 testing at 40 feet.

Unfortunately they can't help you with this since they don't support the wacko M1DA connector. Either way it sure looks like you either need to back off the distance, I see Monoprice has a 35' version - Product ID: 2815, or install a repeater. BTW, what is the source driving this lengthy animal?

kenfeyder · Post by **kenfeyder** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:54 pm

Thank you for your fast response. VERY interesting about certifications... I could possibly change my setup and bring my DVD player closer to the projector... but that means building a component rack on the wall behind my HT setaing. Which, actually, may be OK since I was thiking of building a hush box for the projector (the thing is as loud as a hair dryer!). So I could incorporate a shelf into it, and place DVD player there. Today, the player sits in front of the room, and projector is behind me, hence 50' cable. Really could do away with 40'... Well I'm gonna try a much shorter HDMI-M1DA cable (just ordered a 6 ft version online). Let's see how that works...

As to the source, I tried two -- a Sony BlueRay player, and an 1080p upconverting Philips DVD player. Both sources result in the same situation.

What is your opinion about signal boosters/repeaters?

Thanks for your help/advise!!!

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:47 pm

If you gotta have that distance then you have no choice but to use a repeater. Seems like you have it all figured out though...

eheyman · Post by **eheyman** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 5:56 pm

Hi Ken;

Did it work with the shorter cable? I have an Infocus SP 7210 projector and I'm thinking of doing the same thing with a Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-Ray player. I want to make sure it is going to work before I go spend money on the adapter and HDMI cable.

Ed